Clarification from the agency

U.S. Citizens

At the entry level of this position, you will:

• Provide specialized technical assistance on toxicity and exposure assessment evaluations.
• Review human health risk assessment reports and interpret the assessments to technical and non-technical groups.
• Advise management and state authorities on the status of scientific developments in toxicology and review and implement environmental standards and regulations.
• Serve as a Resources Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Corrective Action Project Manager overseeing RCRA corrective action work at hazardous waste facilities and review and evaluate the facility owner/operator work plans.
• Establish working relationships with internal/external customers, partners and stakeholders and communicate risks associated with environmental chemicals.

When entering a Federal job at a grade level lower than the highest promotion potential level, you may be promoted to more complex duties and work more independently, as your career progresses.

Conditions of employment

• You may have limited exposure to hazardous materials.
• Position has education requirements--see Qualifications/Education section.
• Pre-employment physical is required and periodic physicals thereafter.
• You must submit a resume and required documents--see How to Apply section.
• EPA and non-EPA applicants must submit transcripts/course listings.

You must be a U.S. citizen.

Participation in the medical monitoring program is required.

If you are selected, you will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure form within 30 days of your first day of employment and annually thereafter.

If you are selected, you may be required to complete a one-year probationary period.

This position is designated as Moderate Risk and requires a background investigation.  Unless an appropriate background investigation is already on record with the Office of Personnel Management, you must undergo a background investigation.

You will be required to lift items weighing up to 50 pounds.

This position requires the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

You will be required to obtain (before coming on board) and maintain a valid driver’s license and must be able to operate a Government-owned or leased motor vehicle.

Qualifications

You need a degree or combination of education and experience as described below to qualify for this position.

You must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in toxicology, or an appropriate discipline of the biological, medical, or veterinary sciences that included at least 30 semester hours in chemistry, biochemistry, or physiology, and 12 semester hours in toxicology

In addition to the educational requirements, we are looking for at least one year of specialized experience related to this position as described below:

To qualify for the GS-09 level, you need to have at least one year of full-time experience equivalent to the GS-07 level defined as assisting with scientific and technical issues related to the effects of hazardous contaminants/chemical exposure to human health. - OR master's or equivalent graduate degree; or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in the academic discipline as described below - OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

To qualify for the GS-11 level, you need to have at least one year of full-time experience equivalent to the GS-09 level defined as assisting with scientific and technical issues related to the effects of hazardous contaminants/chemical exposure to human health and performing inspections/testing on hazardous waste sites/facilities. - OR Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in the academic discipline as described below - OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Your answers to the online assessment will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas:  

• Ability to gather and interpret technical/scientific data
• Skill in developing new approaches to solve a variety of technical/scientific problems
• Skill in written communication
• Ability to interpret technical and scientific policies and guidelines to various non-technical groups
• Skill in oral communication
• Knowledge of the concepts and principles of toxicology
• Knowledge of the Resources Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
• Ability to conduct inspection of hazardous waste sites
• Knowledge of applicable statues and regulations

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social).  Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.  You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

If you have part-time work experience, read this:  EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

We will review your resume and required documents to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements.  Your resume must address the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed in the Qualifications section.  If you meet basic qualification requirements, your application will be further evaluated based on your answers to the online assessment.  Your responses to the online assessment will be used to measure the degree to which your background matches the requirements for the position.  You are being evaluated under the category rating method which means, if you are determined to be qualified, you will be placed into the ‘Best Qualified’, ‘Well Qualified’, or ‘Qualified’ category.

We will compare your resume and supporting documentation to your responses on the assessment questionnaire.  If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job.  We will evaluate your qualifications and eligibility and notify you if you meet minimum qualification requirements.  If you are referred for consideration, you may be subject to additional assessments.

NOTE:  We do not require a separate statement responding to the competencies, also referred to as Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs).  However, your resume should clearly show possession of these competencies.